Many disabled renters in Scotland can use self-directed support to choose and pay for social care or services that help them live independently while keeping their tenancy secure. This guide explains in plain language how self-directed support works, who can apply through their local council, and how support can be used for personal care, home adaptations and to prevent housing problems that could threaten your tenancy. You will find practical steps, the official forms to look for, how to record evidence, and where to take disputes — including contact details for the Housing and Property Chamber. Use these steps to plan care and protect your rights as a tenant in Scotland.
What is self-directed support?
Self-directed support is the legal framework that lets an eligible disabled person in Scotland choose how their social care budget is used, including by employing personal assistants, buying services, or arranging adaptations. It is set out in the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013[1] and implemented by local councils and health partners.
Who can apply?
Eligibility depends on a social care assessment carried out by your local council. Typical applicants include:
- Disabled adults who need support to live independently.
- Family carers who need help to maintain their caring role.
- People with long-term conditions or mental health needs needing ongoing care.
How self-directed support can help disabled tenants
The support can be used in ways that directly help you remain safely in your home and protect your tenancy.
- Pay for personal care or a personal assistant to support daily living and avoid crisis moves.
- Fund small repairs or adaptations to remove hazards and improve accessibility.
- Provide short-term contributions to rent or moving costs in narrowly defined cases.
- Help gather evidence, receipts and care records you may need for tenancy disputes or tribunal cases.
Requesting support from your local council
Start by asking your local council for a social care assessment and, if eligible, a self-directed support plan. Local authority guidance and model forms are available on the Scottish Government site https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-care/self-directed-support/[4] and your council will explain options. If housing issues arise that affect your tenancy, you can seek remedies under the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016[2].
- Contact your council adult social care team to request an assessment and explain your housing concerns.
- Complete the council’s SDS support plan or payment agreement as instructed; there is no single national form number in all councils.
- Ask about timelines and when funding decisions will be made so you can plan before any tenancy deadlines.
- Collect evidence: medical letters, rental statements, receipts for adaptations or care costs.
Action steps if your housing is at risk
- Contact your council and your landlord in writing explaining the situation and any SDS arrangements.
- Keep copies of all communications, invoices and care plans in a single file.
- If you cannot resolve the issue, apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber)[3] for remedies and guidance on disputes.
- Seek advocacy or specialist advice promptly to avoid missing deadlines that affect your tenancy.
FAQ
- Can self-directed support be used to pay for home adaptations?
- Yes. Councils can use SDS funding for reasonable adaptations and small repairs where those adaptations meet assessed social care needs.
- Will using SDS affect my tenancy or benefits?
- Using SDS for care should not by itself threaten your tenancy, but you must declare any changes to benefits if required; ask your council or benefits adviser for details.
- Where can I get help if my landlord starts eviction proceedings?
- Contact your council, an advocacy service, and consider applying to the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber) for a hearing about your situation.
How-To
- Request a social care assessment from your local council explaining your housing and care needs.
- Work with the council to complete a self-directed support plan or payment agreement that records agreed uses of funding.
- Gather supporting evidence: medical notes, rental statements and receipts for any adaptations or costs.
- If the landlord takes legal action, submit an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber) and include your SDS evidence.
Help and Support / Resources
- First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber)
- Scottish Government: Self-directed support guidance and resources
- Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016
